The Department of Energy (DOE) on Wednesday launched the Fifth Green Energy Auction (GEA-5), aiming to secure 3,300 megawatts (MW) of fixed-bottom offshore wind capacity with delivery slated between 2028 and 2030.
“By prioritizing fixed-bottom offshore wind for GEA-5, we are investing in a technology that is ready to deliver,” Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said in a statement.
“This allows us to set a strong and credible foundation for the country’s offshore wind sector, one that can deliver first power by 2028,” he said.
The DOE cited this as a significant step in the Philippines’ push for offshore wind energy. The auction round is the first to focus exclusively on fixed-bottom offshore wind technology, in line with the Green Energy Auction Program (GEAP) guidelines.
The GEA-5 is part of the DOE’s broader strategy to achieve renewable energy targets outlined in the Philippine Energy Plan 2025-2050 and the National Renewable Energy Program.
The DOE selected fixed-bottom offshore wind due to its established global track record, cost-efficiency, and scalability, aiming to expedite near-term deployment of offshore wind and support large-scale, reliable renewable energy generation.
“We are still keeping the door open for floating offshore wind technology,” said DOE Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara.
“As global experience grows and the technology matures, the DOE will reassess its inclusion in future auction rounds. For now, our focus is to build momentum with fixed-bottom projects that can succeed under current technical, regulatory, and infrastructure conditions,” said Guevara.
The DOE acknowledged the promise of floating offshore wind technology, noting it is still in early development.
Globally, only 240 MW of floating wind capacity has been deployed to date, with Hywind Tampen’s 88 MW project, operational since 2023, being the largest. While several floating offshore wind tenders were awarded in the United Kingdom in 2024, no large-scale commercial floating wind farms are operational as of date.
The DOE noted the significant opportunity for growth in supply chains for the evolving global floating offshore wind sector, particularly in Southeast Asia. Early projects are expected to provide valuable insights, addressing construction and commissioning challenges for future deployments.
The DOE invited offshore wind developers, port operators, transmission companies, and other stakeholders to review the GEA-5 Terms of Reference and submit inputs, comments, or clarifications by June 18, 2025.
